Celebration

Some people would say that this is a massive vanity project,choosing tracks that exclusivally apear on the label that you record for,well,it is not,it is a reflection on how fine the composing talent is on ECM,
and who better to pay that tribute thanone ofthe giants ao Jazz over the last few decades the.amazing Arild Andersen,supported by the equally talented Tommy Smith,the last time they recorded together they produced the live album"Live at Belle vue" which was a magnificent recording,
.
"May dance" by Dave Holland a fine upbeat verion of this song,the brass section works well,great bass playing,great playing by Smith as well.
"Molde Canticle"by Jan Garbarek,a lovely version of this Garbarek classic played with subtlty.
"Crystal silence"by Chick Coreastarts of with a pino and flute solo and when the band starts they add something to the original.
"Ulrikas song"by Trygve Siemagain sticks to the original tune with some fine playing by Arild
"Independency"by Arild Anderson is 16 minutes of true bliss,a remarkable performance.
"My Song"by Kieth JarretttThe magnetism of Jarrett seems to always pass me by,his style of music and composing skills always irritates me,however this ensemble have made this listenable to me
I urge you to consider buying this CD!
The packaging is,of course up to ECMs standard,a beautifully printed coloured booklet in a slipcase.
As usual for CM the recording of this live album is exceptional.

ARILD ANDERSON.....DOUBLE BASS
MARTIN KERSHAW.....CLARINET,SOPRANO AND ALTO SAXOPHONE
PAUL TOWNDROW......ALTO SAXOHONE
TOMMY SMITH......FLUTE AND TENOR SAXOHONE
KONRAD WISZNIEWSKI.....TENOR SAXOHONE
BILL FLEMMING.....BASS CLARINET BARITONE SAXOPHONE
RYAN QUIGLEY.....TRUMPET,FLUGELHORN
CAMERON JAY.....TRUMPET ,FLUGELHORN
RICHARD ILES.....TRUMPET,FLUGELHORN
TOM MaCNIVEN.....TRUMPET FLUGELHORN
CHRIS GREIVE.....TROMBONE
PHIL O'MALLEY.....TROMBONE
MICHAEL OWERS.....TROMBONE
LORNA McDONALD.....BASS BARITONE.TUBA
STEVE HAMILTON.....PIANO
CALUM GOURLAY.....DOUBLE BASS
ALYN COSKER.....DRUMS

61.45

RECORDED IN 2010
RELEASED IN 2012

ECM RECORDS

I bought this on the strength of a marvellous concert at the London South Bank one Sunday afternoon last year. Tommy Smith conducted the SNJO (outstanding scots jazz musicians), played tenor sax very fluently, and had AA guest soloing on bass. The selections were all representations of ECM label tunes, and done with new orchestration, given extra life.
This CD is a little disappointing in that it seems to have very little Tommy Smith and SNJO and almost too much - if that can be possible- of Arild on Bass. The songs also seem to come up short a little compared to the live show.
Those who did not see the live show and (probably) hope for too much from the CD, will probably enjoy it in its own right.